Best Return Pump?

[Stampos]

Hi everybody,

I am setting up a new freshwater tank with a sump - so I thought this section would get me the best answers

I have just purchased a 60x18x24 drilled tank which has a 36" sump, this is fed by a wier overflow and a durso pipe (please forgive me if my terminology is wrong!!). The tank is going to be a display tank for my L-number catfish and maybe some SA cichlids eventually, so I would like a nice turnover of 5x the water volume per hour ideally

I have seen an Eheim Compact+ 3000 that seems to fit the bill - but I am unsure if it will be suitable for this size tank.

Please could you advise if the Eheim is suitable for my needs, or recommend me a more suitable alternative?

I have more questions regarding sump set ups but will save that for another day!

Many thanks,

Simon

 

[rabbut]

First off, where in the world are you based?

An Eheim Compact+ 3000 isn't going to give you the flow you need, even before taking into consideration your head-height losses.

I'll make equipment recommendations once I know where you are based, and hence what's available to you

All the best
Rabbut

 

[ben1987]

red dragon

deltec, ocean runners are all more affordable and reliable!

 

[Stampos]

First off, where in the world are you based?

An Eheim Compact+ 3000 isn't going to give you the flow you need, even before taking into consideration your head-height losses.

I'll make equipment recommendations once I know where you are based, and hence what's available to you

All the best
Rabbut

Hi Rabbut,

I'm based in Hertfordshire, pretty close to a Maidenhead aquatics flagship - they are who I purchased the tank from. They recommended a pond pump for use but at the time I had no idea what head loss etc was so left with just the tank.

Anything powerful enough and relatively inexpensive would be ideal.

Thanks,

Simon

 

[ben1987]

laguna pond pumps are supposed to be very good for the price, a lot of reefers are using them now

 

[Stampos]

laguna pond pumps are supposed to be very good for the price, a lot of reefers are using them now

Hi Ben,

Could you recommend a particular model for me please?

*edit* would this be suitable? */edit*

Or, tell me what sort of LPH/GPH I would need to see my requirements?

Many thanks,

Simon

 

[jtnova13]

you want about 550-600 gph.

I use a rio hyperflow 750 gph pump on my 90 gallon, you probably want to get something like 900 gph for a 110 + head loss.

 

[Stampos]

Would the Laguna pump I linked to above be appropriate? It says 810GPH but looking at my return pipe work there is only one 90 degree bend to navigate around, would this be sufficient?

Many thanks,

Simon

 

[rabbut]

The pump you linked to would do the job. However, an 18 month old one of works, that is one of a select few bits of kit there that gets wrapped in cotton wool and pampered, failed and started giving electric shocks and tripping the RCB's when staff and customers looking though the liverock vat placed their hands in... Not good We have had a fair few returned from people with ponds with similar faults recently too... It's possibly just a dodgy batch, but I personally don't trust them...

If you are happy to pay top money, an Oase Neptun 6000 would be good for a pond pump

I would personally have an OceanRunner 6500 that does slightly more flow for an extra 5W, that would be fine also, and a bit cheaper, for a tank of that size...

Hoselock also do some good pumps

All the best
Rabbut

 

[ben1987]

not heard that with the lagunas before. People on r are going buts from them at the minute too.

ocean runner is always a safe bet though

 

[Stampos]

not heard that with the lagunas before. People on r are going buts from them at the minute too.

ocean runner is always a safe bet though

Thanks guys

This is really confusing!

I've also found this Hozelock Cascade 4000 which to me seems like it would work, and has a low power draw which is desirable.

Your thoughts?

Simon

 

[rabbut]

That Hoselock is borderline, depends on the head-height you are going to be having... Do you know your head height yet (distance between the water line in your sump, and the outlet of your return pipe, or the water line in the main tank if the return pipe goes under the level of the display tank...)?

 

[Stampos]

Head height appears to be around 110cm, I measured from the top of a sump baffle to the output.

The return pipe goes up vertically through the bulk head (in the weir box) enters a 90 degree corner piece and travels the length of the tank to the outlet.

My confusions lies in whether I have to count the height the flow is pumped to, or account for both the height and distance within the pipework?

Thanks again,

Simon

 

[jtnova13]

only height and elbows.

Frictional losses are negligible in such short piping runs.

If you have a 3' horizontal run or something, i'd just leave that out.

 

[Stampos]

only height and elbows.

Frictional losses are negligible in such short piping runs.

If you have a 3' horizontal run or something, i'd just leave that out.

Nice one

I went to my LFS today (not MA) and had a chat about my requirements. He showed me a bank of 9 freshwater tanks (stacked) and an Ocean runner 6500 was powering them all.

He then showed me a 600 or so litre saltwater tank using an Ocean runner 3500, I compared the two and came home with an Ocean runner 3500

Just have to set everything up on Friday now!

Thanks to everyone for their input